The 11 Best Civil War Movies
Brother fights brother in these epic and tragic films.
'Glory'
They say the older you get, you either become someone who smokes meat or someone who gets into the Civil War. Well, I feel like I'm more of a WWII guy, but I've been known to dabble in America's bloodiest conflict.
If you're reading across the world and don't know about the American Civil War, it raged from 1861 to 1865, and was a defining conflict in United States history. It erupted from decades of simmering tensions between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states (the Confederacy), which seceded from the nation.
The primary cause of the war was the institution of slavery; specifically, the South's economy and social structure were deeply reliant on enslaved labor, while the North was moving towards an industrialized, free-labor system and growing abolitionist sentiment.
Historians estimate that around 750,000 people died during this fighting.
Today, I wanted to bring you some movies that capture the conflict and that I think can bring you a greater understanding of what happened.
Let's dive in.
1. Glory (1989)
A powerful and moving film, Glory tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army's first all-black volunteer companies.
It's an important movie and story to tell.
It features a stellar cast including Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington (in an Academy Award-winning role), and Morgan Freeman. The film is lauded for its historical accuracy, stunning battle sequences, and its long-overdue recognition of the contributions of African American soldiers.
It's about bravery and forming a country for all, finally living up to the promise that all men are created equal.
2. Gettysburg (1993)
This four and a half hour movie is one of the most epic achievements in filmmaking history.
Based on Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Killer Angels," this sprawling epic meticulously recreates the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg.
With its grand scale, detailed military tactics, and powerful performances from Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee and Jeff Daniels as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, Gettysburg is a must-watch for those seeking a deep understanding of this crucial moment in American history.
The writing and cinematography on display is staggering.
3. Lincoln (2012)
Steven Spielberg's take on the 16th president offers a masterful look at the political maneuvering in order to get slavery banned.
Lincoln himself is brilliantly portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in his third Oscar-winning performance. The film offers a compelling and nuanced look at the legislative battles that shaped the nation's future.
And Spielberg adds wonder to a vote that changes the course of history.
4. The Civil War (1990)
Ken Burns. That's all you need to know. The guy makes the best documentaries you have ever seen.
This nine-part documentary series is an essential and comprehensive exploration of the Civil War. Through archival photographs, letters, and expert commentary, Burns crafts a deeply moving and informative narrative that brings the era to life with unparalleled depth and emotional resonance.
It is widely considered the definitive visual history of the conflict.
5. Cold Mountain (2003)
Now we get into the narratives that take on the war without being non-fiction. This epic romantic drama follows the perilous journey of a wounded Confederate soldier, W.P. Inman (Jude Law), as he deserts the army to return to his beloved Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman) in the mountains of North Carolina.
Directed by Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain offers a stunningly beautiful and often brutal depiction of the home front and the war's devastating impact on civilians and the complicated issues of fighting on either side.
6. Gone with the Wind (1939)
A landmark of classic Hollywood cinema, Gone with the Wind remains an epic tale of love, loss, and survival set against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
It's a movie that should and does face modern scrutiny, but the film's sweeping narrative, iconic characters, and grand production values have solidified its place in film history.
7. The Red Badge of Courage (1951)
I feel like everyone had to read this novel and then watch this movie in high school, but perhaps I'm dating myself.
Directed by John Huston, this adaptation of Stephen Crane's classic novel is a poignant psychological study of a young Union soldier's transformation from a fearful boy into a courageous man.
The film powerfully captures the fear, confusion, and ultimate resilience of the common soldier in the face of the horrors of war.
8. Ride with the Devil (1999)
Ang Lee's visually stunning revisionist western film offers a unique perspective on the Civil War by focusing on the brutal guerrilla warfare that took place on the Missouri-Kansas border.
The story follows a group of Bushwhackers, Southern sympathizers who engage in hit-and-run tactics, providing a morally complex and often overlooked view of the conflict.
9. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
This classic Western, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, is set in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War.
Eastwood plays a Missouri farmer who is driven to seek revenge after his family is murdered by pro-Union Jayhawkers. While a tale of the frontier, the war's scars, and the lingering animosities are central to the film's narrative.
Again, it takes a person's point of view, not on the winning side, but as someone who lost family along the way and wants a reason why it all happened.
10. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
This film as a solid argument for being the best movie ever made.
Sergio Leone's masterpiece is a quintessential "Spaghetti Western" that uses the chaos of the Civil War as a backdrop for its tale of three gunslingers searching for Confederate gold.
It;'s both exciting and meaningful. The war itself is a powerful, almost apocalyptic force in the film, highlighting the opportunism and moral ambiguity that can thrive in times of conflict.
And it shows the inhumanity of death at a scale that no other western tackles.
11. The Beguiled (2017)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this atmospheric Southern Gothic thriller offers a unique female perspective on the war.
Set in a secluded Virginia girls' school, the story follows the disruption and mounting tension that follows the arrival of a wounded Union soldier.
With a talented cast including Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Colin Farrell, the film is a masterclass in suspense and visual storytelling, exploring themes of isolation, desire, and power dynamics away from the battlefield.
Summing It All Up
The Civil War was some nasty business. It spilled so much blood and left so many wounds on America that we're still trying to clean it all up. And the bodies that were once buried often rear their heads to this day.
These movies help put the conflict in perspective and I think they're worth watching.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
